FAQS

GENERAL QUESTIONS

What is the rental fee and what does it include?

• Please click here to see the price and the services and amenities that are included.

What is the capacity of the Reception Hall?

• We can comfortably fit 200 guests, including the bridal party, inside our hall. This still allows room for a DJ/band, cake table area, bar, serving buffet table, and dance floor.

What dates are available?

• Please click here to see the available dates.

Is there a deposit? When are the additional payments due? Do you offer a payment plan?

• Yes, a Date Reservation Fee is due at the time of signing the contract to hold your date(s). We require 25% of the package cost at the time of signing the contract, which is the Date Reservation Fee. Nine months prior to the event we require 50% of the package cost. The remaining 25% of the package cost is due 60 days prior to the event, along with the security damage deposit. If you are booking within nine months prior to the event date, then 50% of the package cost is due at the time of signing. The remaining 50%, along with the security damage deposit, is due 60 days prior to the event. You’re welcome to make small payments along the way as long as the above amounts are paid by the due dates.

What is the security damage deposit? When is it due? Is it refundable?

• The security damage deposit of $500 is due 60 days prior to the event. These funds are reserved for any possible damage that occurs during the event. If there is no damage, then we will issue a refund of the $500 via check no later than two weeks after your event. If there is damage, but the costs do not require the full $500, we will refund any difference of the deposit from the costs.

How do I reserve a date?

• The process is easy! Just send us an email to carriagehillsranchtx@gmail.com with your name, your requested date, and a back-up date. We’ll then start the contract process and email you the information needed to create the contract. We process all of our contracts electronically, so it’s easy to digitally sign your contract and pay your deposit all on-line. A date is then reserved for you once you have provided the first payment at the time of signing the contract.

• Before booking a date, we would love to show you our family-owned venue in person, or by virtual tour. You can request a tour on our tour request page. You are not required to view the property before booking with us, but if you are out of the area and would like a virtual tour, we’re happy to send you our video, or when possible, we can have a Skype tour with you. We’ve had couples book with us without being able to tour the property in person, and we can easily handle the contract and deposit electronically.

Do I need to schedule a tour or can I just stop by?

• So we can best serve our couples, all of our tours are by appointment only. You can request a tour time here.

Do you offer any military or First Responders discounts?

• Yes, we proudly offer a discount if the bride or groom is an active U.S. Military Service Member, U.S. Veteran, or First Responder, which includes EMT’s, Paramedics, Fire Fighters, and Police Officers. Just fill out the tour request form for additional details.

What is the average total wedding budget of a couple getting married at Carriage Hills Ranch?

• Wonderful question! We believe that the average total wedding budget of a couple getting married at Carriage Hills Ranch is between $15,000 and $18,000. This includes the total cost of a wedding (the venue, catering, photographer, DJ/band, florist, etc.). With the beautiful natural setting and all that is included in our packages, and with smaller guest counts and creativity within your budget, it is possible to spend less.

Is there a food and beverage or guest count minimum?

• No. Many venues have a minimum guest count because they receive a commission from the caterers, or they require you to use their in-house catering service. We want you to have the flexibility to choose the food and caterer you desire for your special day.

Are we required to use a professional caterer or can we bring in our own food for the reception?

• Yes, we require professional caterers with liability insurance, however, you get to pick your caterer. This is an extra measure to help keep you and your guests from any foodborne illnesses and also to provide you with another layer of quality service.

Are there any requirements for caterers?

• We have a list of caterers that we think have wonderful food, varied budgets, and great customer service, but you are not required to use them. Since there are so many caterers to choose from, we do require prior approval of a caterer for events at Carriage Hills Ranch. All caterers must have liability insurance and list Carriage Hills Ranch as an additional beneficiary. Proof of this insurance must be given to us 60 days prior to the event. Also, we require caterers to collect and remove any trash created by the caterer or by the use of their product. Caterers are also responsible for providing their own linens and cleaning the kitchen before leaving the venue. It’s helpful to advise your caterer of these venue rules so they can prepare for your special day.

What amenities are available in the caterer’s kitchen?

• There are 2 standard-size refrigerators with freezers, a 3-compartment commercial sink, 2 prep tables, a small portable island cart, a microwave, a handwashing sink, and miscellaneous supplies. We also have a private side entrance for the caterers for easy unloading and loading of their food and supplies.

Do we have to utilize the bartending company you work with?

• Yes. They are our in-house bar service. They are all TABC certified, are insured, professional, fun, and friendly. We want everyone to have a safe and wonderful time at your event, and we believe you’ll have fun with this company too.

Will there be another event on the same day?

• We only host one wedding each day at Carriage Hills Ranch to ensure your event is special and uninterrupted.

Are there overnight accommodations nearby?

• Yes. The Blanco River Inn is one mile away and they offer group rates for wedding blocks along with transportation (contact them for details and pricing and let them know you have booked with Carriage Hills Ranch). All of their rooms are suites AND are sought after by many of the wedding venues in the Texas Hill Country. There are also several smaller hotels, cabins, and B&B’s in Blanco, as well as additional larger hotels only 20 minutes away.

How many cars will your parking lot accommodate?

• We can fit up to 65 cars in our parking lot and up to 20 cars in our overflow area.

Do children count toward the guest count total?

• Typically, yes, children count toward the headcount, as we can fit up to 200 people inside our reception hall. If the child will not require a seat, because they will be sitting on the parent’s lap, and they are under the age of 2, then they do not count toward the total. Please make sure that the parent of the child is willing to have them sit on their lap for the entire reception as we will not have additional tables or chairs available for the children if they were not part of the original guest count.

What type of tables do you have?

• We have (26) 5’ round tables; (4) 6’ rectangle tables; (2) 8’ rectangle tables. The round tables are primarily used for the guests and the rectangle tables for the bridal party. We also have (6) cocktail tables; (15) 3’ glass top tables for outside use and (1) kids’ table that seats four.

What type of chairs do you have?

• We provide 200 upgraded Fruitwood Chiavari chairs, with cushions, for use inside our reception hall. We have 200 large white folding chairs for outside use for an outdoor reception.

Do you provide linens?

• We have an add-on package fee for the use of our linens. If you would like to save the expense and time of buying linens, we can provide floor-length ivory linens for all of the inside tables and cocktail tables. We also have a large selection of linens in various colors for the cake table and bridal table, as well as some guest tables. The linen package fee is $275 for wedding sizes over 50 people and $125 for weddings of 50 people or less. **All other wedding professionals, such as caterers and DJ’s are required to bring and use their own linens.

Are table runners included?

• Yes. You are welcome to use any of the table runners we have, and they are included in the package price.

Is security included in the package price?

• Yes. Security is included for four hours during the reception. If alcohol is served for more than five hours, then you are required to pay for the additional time needed for the security officers.

What happens in case of bad weather?

• Unlike many venues that have outdoor ceremony areas, Carriage Hills Ranch has a climate-controlled reception hall, with 4 Heat/AC units for the building, that can easily be adapted for the wedding. Tables and chairs that have already been set up for the reception remain in place, and the stage becomes the ceremony site with the historic family barn as the backdrop. We have easy access from the bridal cabin to the reception hall that allows for a private and “grand” entrance for the bride and her bridesmaids. Having this option makes planning less stressful while providing another beautiful area for a wedding.

We plan to have our ceremony offsite and only plan to have our reception at Carriage Hills Ranch. Does your fee change?

• Since we only host one event a day, our package price remains the same whether you choose to have the ceremony, reception, or both at our venue. If you have your ceremony off-site, you are welcome to use the Groom’s Quarters and the Bridal Cabin to get ready for your ceremony. You can also take photos around the property during the day before your ceremony.

Do you allow dogs on-site to play a part in our wedding day?

• Yes, we do allow dogs to be a part of your ceremony, but for the safety of others, we do have certain guidelines that must be followed. We must give prior approval for use of the dog(s) at the ceremony and for photos. The dog(s) must be leashed and a responsible adult, other than the bride and groom, must care for them during all other times at the venue. Dogs are not allowed inside any of the buildings, due to health codes, and any “deposits” of waste must be picked up with your own poop bags, sealed, and put in outside trash cans.

Is there a fee if I want to have my reception outside?

• Yes, if you want to use our tables and chairs, there is a $500 set-up/take-down fee for outside receptions only. This service fee is for Carriage Hills Ranch to set up and take down tables and chairs for up to 200 guests outside on our terraces.

What form of payment does Carriage Hills Ranch accept?

• We prefer checks however, we do accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express).

Is there a discount if we pay in full at the time of booking?

• Yes, we provide a discount if you select this option.

My preferred dates are unavailable. Do you have a cancellation waiting list?

• Unfortunately, we do not have a cancellation waiting list. You can check our availability here.

What time will I have access to the venue to decorate?

• You are allowed to decorate and have access to the venue according to the time frame noted on your contract. Extra time or days are available by purchasing the two-day package. This package allows you an additional four hours the day before your event for your rehearsal, to decorate, or prepare the venue for your special day.

Do you require a professional Wedding or Event Planner?

• No. Once you book a date with us we have many helpful tools to help make your special day run as smoothly as possible. We do require you to select someone to be the decision-maker for the day, to help make important decisions on the day of your wedding. This should be someone other than the bride, groom, bridal party, and immediate family members if possible. With that being said, although we don’t require a planner, we do thinks it’s a good idea to have one. If you choose to hire a wedding planning or coordinator, they must be approved by CHR before signing a contract with them. We supply you with so much helpful planning information, but it’s always beneficial to have at least a day-of-event professional wedding planner to help support you and your vision for the day. Let them take that stress from you so you can fully enjoy your special day.

Will someone from Carriage Hills Ranch be at the event?

• Yes. There will be a Carriage Hills Ranch team member there for your entire event to help answer questions about the venue from your vendors and guests, and to do all we can to make your day as special as possible.

PLANNING QUESTIONS

How will the tables, chairs, and dance floor be arranged for my event?

• For the floor plan with the dance floor in the center aisle please click here. To see our floor plan with the dance floor on the right side of the hall please click here. We will reach out to you to confirm which arrangement you want for your special day. If you want a specific layout that is not one of our standard plans, you will need to inform us three weeks prior to the event of the modification you want to make.

If we choose the one-day option, will we be able to access the location early to rehearse our ceremony?

• Most of our couples have their rehearsals during one of our monthly open houses or the day of the event. Some couples select our two-day option to allow for the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and extra decoration time. See our investment page here for details.

Can we have sparklers on the property? Are fireworks allowed?

• Sparklers are allowed in the arbor area for the send-off of the couple if there isn’t a burn ban for Blanco County during the week of the event. All other fireworks are not allowed as we don’t want to scare the animals or disturb our neighbors.

Can vehicles be left overnight?

• Please contact us if you need to make prior arrangements for a vehicle to be left overnight.

What time does the music need to end?

• All music should end by 11 p.m., as all events must end by 11 p.m. This allows you an hour to collect all of your personal items and also ensure that all other vendors, guests, and the couple are off property by 12 a.m. (midnight).

We are using a rental company. Can they drop items off or pick them up outside of the rental period?

• All deliveries and pick-up of items must take place during the standard rental period. If you have a two-day package, rental items may be dropped off the day before the event during the scheduled four-hour time frame of 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Which areas on the property are available for the ceremony site?

• Our most popular area for the wedding ceremony is the gazebo overlooking our wet-weather lake with amphitheater-style seating. However, we also have the fireplace/patio area, numerous oak trees, in front of the streetcar, and inside our reception hall, as additional ceremony locations.

Is the streetcar available to be used as an outdoor bar or appetizer serving area?

• Yes. The streetcar is equipped with electricity along with a small freezer and fridge and a work area for preparing and serving drinks or appetizers. Caterers and bartenders have plenty of space to prep food and drinks for you and your guests. There is also ample room to enjoy your food and drinks inside the streetcar and on the extended patios of the streetcar.

Are food trucks allowed?

• Yes. We love food trucks and think they are a fun option for your reception.

Is there a sound system?

• We have a portable Bluetooth speaker with a microphone that you are welcome to use.

Are candles allowed?

• We allow battery-operated candles if you use our decor items. If you decide to use your own decor for candle holders, then real candles must be used following our safety guidelines. We do have several different types available in our decor room for your use or you may bring your own battery-operated candles.

May we move furniture or decor belonging to Carriage Hills Ranch?

• Yes, you may move furniture belonging to us, but all furniture and decor must be returned to its original placement at the conclusion of the event.

How tall are the gazebo columns? How far apart are the gazebo columns?

• The columns are 8’ 6” tall and approximately 9’ apart.

Is it possible to seat 9 people at a table?

• For the comfort of your guests, we don’t recommend having more than eight people at a table.

How far in advance do you need our final headcount?

• We need your guest count and bridal party count three weeks prior to the event.

How do we rent a carriage ride for our event?

• Contact K and D Carriages to select and book a carriage for your special day. They are an independent wedding professional so any arrangements for a carriage ride would need to be made with them in a separate contract.

How do I obtain a marriage license?

• You can get a marriage license at any Texas County Clerk’s Office to be used anywhere in the state of Texas. You can purchase a wedding license in Blanco County for $77 and you must purchase it at least 72 hours prior to your wedding ceremony time. A wedding license issued in Texas is valid for 90 days and once the ceremony is completed, the license must be returned to the county where it was issued for formal filing. The Blanco County Clerk’s office is located at 101 E. Cypress in Johnson City, Texas. You can also reach them at 830-868-7357 or by email at countyclerk@co.blanco.tx.us.

SETUP AND DAY-OF EVENT QUESTIONS

Are outside snacks and trays permitted?

• Yes, but please no glass bottles or alcohol.

Are there electrical outlets at the gazebo, fireplace/patio area, and streetcar?

• Yes, we have electrical outlets at all of these locations.

What is the event clean-up process?

• Carriage Hills Ranch will take care of the standard deep cleaning after the event. Trash removal from the bathrooms will take place throughout the reception. Any decor items used must be returned to us by the end of the event along with any furniture moved back into its original place. You will need to remove any personal items from the Groom’s Room and the Bridal Cabin by the end of the event, along with picking up any trash and making sure the furniture is back in its original place. As a reminder, we require caterers to collect and remove any trash created by the caterer or by the use of their product. Caterers are also responsible for cleaning the kitchen before leaving the venue. It’s helpful to advise your caterer of these venue rules so they can prepare for your special day.

Can we take photos around the ranch on our wedding day?

• Yes. We have some favorite spots that our couples love, so please let us know, and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Can we nail decorations to the walls or hang things like streamers or lanterns from the beams and ceilings?

• No. Our reception hall has a lot of family history and was built by several different family members, so we only allow magnets to be used on metal surfaces. No tacks, tape, nails, staples, etc. are to be used on wooden surfaces.  No wall penetrations shall be made.  We have beautiful romantic ceiling lights that can only be reached with tall ladders, so please, do not add anything to the ceiling. Our floor has been professionally stained, so we kindly ask that no tape of any kind be used on the floor.

Can we add decor and/or floral arrangements to the outside space?

• Yes, decor or floral arrangements may be added to any outdoor space, such as the gazebo, bridge, fireplace, streetcar, trees, arch, etc. however, they must be secured in place by using fishing line, zip ties, or floral wire, only.  All items must be removed by the end of your event.

Are we allowed to have drapes inside the hall?

• Yes. You may have piping with drapes attached to them inside our reception hall. The piping has to be able to stand by itself and support the drapes without attaching to any of the walls, ceilings, or poles and they cannot block any of the exits.